High school football is one of America’s favorite activities. People of all ages enjoy high school football.
High school football is the ultimate team sport, producing emotions and feelings of all kinds. It brings out the competitive nature in many, a competition that is difficult to replicate following graduation.
High School football differs from state to state and we will look at when high school football comes to an end.
When Does the High School Football Season End?
It depends! The end of high school football depends on the state and the playoff structure that is developed. Most high school football takes place in the fall.
In general high school football is played during the fall season, a season that many people look forward to. The weather, the environment, the excitement about competitions, and neighborhood rivalries, make high school football one of the greatest events in America.
Most states have a playoff structure, and this is where it differs among states and high school programs. For some, the playoffs aren’t accomplished too often, and for others, the playoffs may extend five or six more weeks.
Let’s look at a few states and when high school football ends:
Ohio High School Football
In Ohio, football games typically begin the second to last weekend in August. Ohio plays a total of 10 regular season games. Games in Ohio are played on a weekly basis, typically on Friday or Saturday nights. Some games do take place on Thursdays.
The last regular season game takes place the last weekend in October, right around halloween. The postseason begins one week after the last season and takes place for six weeks.
The state final games take place the first weekend in December, which concludes the high school football season.
Pennsylvania High School Football
In Pennsylvania the football season includes five weeks of playoffs. The playoffs in Pennsylvania typically start the third weekend in November. Some teams do have byes during this week.
The finals for the state championships in Pennsylvania are played during the second weekend of December. This is one weekend after the Ohio state finals take place.
Pennsylvania produces some very good football players, the season is pretty typical to most high school seasons.
Texas High School Football
Texas also produces great football players, many that go on to college and the NFL.
In Texas, the maximum number of football games that any school can play is 10 regular season games. The season is 11 weeks long, and each team has a bye.
The postseason in Texas consists of six weeks. The state final games are played during the third weekend in December. There are 16 teams in each region in each division of the playoffs.
Michigan High School Football
Michigan high school football consists of nine regular season games. This allows Michigan to start their playoffs a little sooner than many states. The playoffs in Michigan typically start the last weekend in October.
Eight teams makes the playoffs in each division in Michigan, and the finals take place the last weekend in November. This is quite different from some of the other states, for example, Texas, who have their last week the third weekend in December.
Michigan has just recently adopted a point system to determine who makes the playoffs, similar to the system that is used in Ohio to determine playoff teams. These points are based on the size of school that the opponent is.
Florida High School Football
Florida, being a big state, has multiple state champions. Each division is divided up according to the size of school and the number of boys that attend the school. Florida begins games at the beginning of September and teams that make the state finals can play up to 15 games.
Classes 1A, 2A, and 3A play the state championship games the second weekend of December, while classes 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A play the third weekend in December.
Typically six teams make the playoffs in each region, of each division. The season is similar to Texas as far as dates and when it is finished.
Can Teams Keep Playing Games if they don’t Make the Playoffs?
Most states put a maximum number of regular season games. Most states have a 10 game regular season maximum. The date at which teams finish their 10 games is usually by the state final game, which gives ample time to complete 10 games.
Due to Covid and other issues that may arise, some games are canceled, but states have allowed teams to play 10 games, even if these games are played after the normal regular season ends.
Does Weather Play a Factor in High School Football?
Weather absolutely impacts high school football in most states. Football practice typically begins in August, the weather is extremely hot and dry. The state finals in most states happen in December. In some states, the state final games are played during snow.
Weather has a huge impact, and there has been a lot of discussion regarding this in some states. The state final game is sometimes played in conditions that teams have not seen all season, which does impact the game.
Does Every State Have Different Divisions for the Playoffs
Yes, all states have multiple state championships. These divisions are based on the size of the school. Most states have different guidelines for the determination of divisions.
Final Thoughts
In high school football, seasons at different times. The end of the season for high school football ends on different weekends based on the state. Each state determines when the regular season ends, and then each state has a different state playoff bracket.
Teams that do not make the playoffs typically end their season around the end of October.
Teams that make the playoffs and play in the state final typically end their season anywhere between the last weekend in November and the third weekend in December.
High school football has become such a great event for many people. It has become a great outlet for many student athletes, a sport that teaches so much. Regardless of the date that these seasons end, most will remember their seasons and the lessons that they have learned through this great game.
